Borisin’s head hung over the door of his stall. Although it had only been a week since they’d last seen each other, Rudiger liked to think Borisin was looking a lot better. His mane, for example, had grown. It probably hadn’t grown much, but surely it had grown a little. And the blisters on his neck and body were looking better. There were more scabs. Unlike the mane, Rudiger was pretty certain those changes were actually pretty significant.

  About time, Borisin said. I’m growing tired of smelling these two.

  There were more than two people there, counting all the guards, but Rudiger was pretty certain Borisin was referring to Lidda and Malef, who both stood to the side.

  Sorry, buddy. Stairs still take a bit of work and the ground is kind of icy.

  Borisin snorted. I suppose I forgive you.

  “Welcome, Rudiger,” Lidda said. “To show my appreciation, and that I keep my word, you may have half an hour with your horse. I’ve also seen fit to grant your request for Malef to be present, though I’m not sure why you want him here.”

  Rudiger shrugged as he approached Borisin’s stall and opened the gate. “We’ve been talking recently about wanting to do stuff together again, like we used to play billiards. We’ve kind of run out of gossip to talk about. Since I usually only get to leave my apartments for this, I thought we could do this together. Malef can help me with Borisin.”

  What? Are you kidding? No way! I’m not letting that man anywhere near me.

  Ease up, buddy. Malef’s the only ally we have here.

  “I suppose it makes some sense,” Lidda said.

  Ally? He tried to kill me, remember?

  “But no conspiring.”

  No, he didn’t. “The guards will still be present, your Ladyship. And you’re welcome to stay as well.”

  And he’s sleeping with Queen Bitch there.

  Lidda chuckled. “Oh, I know. The guards will be watching closely.” She motioned to Malef. “Go ahead.”

  As Malef approached the stall, Borisin reared. I told you no! Absolutely not!

  “Borisin!” Rudiger yelled as Malef backed off. There were no reins, so all he could do was grab Borisin’s neck, which couldn’t be too pleasant. Borisin, listen to me! You are going to do this because this is the only way we are ever getting out of here. You understand?

  Borisin neighed loudly and continued to rear.

  Borisin, please! I’m begging you. This is necessary!

  Borisin lowered his front legs and made one more annoyed neigh. Fine, but I won’t like it, and if he takes any missteps, I’m biting his hand off.

  Agreed. Rudiger looked to Malef. “Sorry about that. He’s always fidgety about other people, and in his current state…”

  Malef adjusted his doublet. “I’ve noticed that about him. You’re sure he’ll be all right now?”

  “He will, don’t worry.”

  Malef approached again, this time more warily. Borisin snorted a couple times, but did nothing else.

  “I have to admit,” Malef said, “when we talked about doing things together, I didn’t think of this.”

  “Neither did I,” Rudiger said. “Not at first, but it just sort of came to me after we saw each other yesterday.”

  “Lidda must be in a giving mood at the moment. She turned down my request that she allow us to play billiards together.”

  “She’s happy about the Slay demonstration the other day. I’m getting a reward, I guess. Now, because of his burns, you need to be gentle when brushing his mane.” He handed Malef a brush. Let him brush you, buddy.

  I’m going to regret this. Borisin remained still as Malef began to brush.

  “A lot of knots here,” Malef said.

  “Staff here aren’t very good,” Rudiger said. “Most of the old staff died or ran away, so like the guards, everyone here is inexperienced with little clue what they’re doing.”

  And it shows, Borisin said.

  They brushed Borisin for a few moments. Then, without stopping, Rudiger said, All right, buddy, I’m gonna need you to do something you’re gonna hate.

  Borisin pulled back a bit, causing Malef to jump.

  “It’s all right,” Rudiger said. “I think I accidentally rubbed over a sensitive spot.”

  Malef re-approached Borisin and resumed brushing.

  What do you want? Borisin asked.

  I need you to introduce yourself to him.

  Borisin was silent.

  Well? No angry retorts? No refusals?

  Oh, I’ve got a ton of things I want to say, but I’m guessing they won’t make a difference. Not to mention, you wouldn’t ask me to do something so repulsive without it being absolutely necessary. Just tell me why.

  “I must say,” Malef said, “he is a magnificent horse. I’m sure I’ve said it before, but he is. Even with these burns. The fact he survived an encounter with that dragon is something truly special.”

  Malef continued to drone on as Rudiger explained to Borisin, I need you to pass messages between us. Both of us are watched too much to be able to speak openly. This is the only way we can speak frankly with each other.

  Fine. I’ll do it. Hope you’re ready for his reaction.

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  “I know Lidda doesn’t think as highly of him because she finds him too big, but she doesn’t understand what’s needed for a horse bred for combat. No offence, dear! A good warhorse—” Malef broke off with a gasp followed by a whimper.

  Step on his foot, quick! Rudiger said.

  With pleasure.

  Malef cried out.

  One of the guards approached the gate as Lidda called out, “What’s happening?”

  Malef looked at Rudiger with wide eyes and a trembling jaw. “He...uh...he stepped on my foot. It’s okay, my dear. He just took me by surprise. That’s all. He’s moved again. I’ll be fine.”

  The guard looked in the stall, then nodded back to Lidda.

  “Very well. Keep that horse under control, Rudiger.”

  “Yes, your Ladyship, sorry. Unfortunately, his wounds are still sensitive and it’s hard to groom him without occasionally—”

  “Whatever! Just keep him under control. See, Malef? This is why I don’t like big horses.”

  “Yes, dear,” Malef said. “I understand your point, but...uh...there is still a value to—”

  “I don’t give a damn!”

  “Yes, dear.” Malef continued to look at Rudiger, still trembling.

  What’s happening? Rudiger asked.

  It’s taking him a moment to figure out how to answer me. Remember how I told you some humans are harder to communicate with than others?

  Yeah.

  He’s one of them. It’s actually painful, so you better appreciate what I’m doing.

  I do, buddy. Believe me.

  Malef was still staring at Rudiger, jaw dropped.

  Tell him to keep brushing you.

  After a moment, Malef resumed brushing, but he was still shaking. Borisin flinched several times at his touch.

  He wants to know what’s going on, Borisin said.

  Tell him—

  I know what to tell him, but you’re going to have to give him a moment. Remember what it was like the first time you heard me.

  Rudiger nodded. That was fair. He had expected Malef to be shocked, but he hadn’t really considered just how shocked he might be. But there was no denying talking to a horse for the first time was a difficult thing to accept.

  He’s starting to get the hang of how to reply, Borisin said.

  Malef was certainly trembling less. He wiped some sweat from his brow, and smiled at Rudiger.

  He says this is truly remarkable, Borisin said, and I’m an even more remarkable horse than he thought. He’s right there.

  “So, you were saying about warhorses,” Rudiger said aloud.

  “Oh, uh…” Malef said.

  Don’t confuse him, Borisin said. It’s a lot for him at the moment. Don’t make him speak and think something different at the same time yet. Even you’re not that good at that.

  Got it, Rudiger said. “I should tell you about how I acquired Borisin and his training. It’s not the most exciting story in the world, to tell the truth, but…”

  “Yes, yes,” Malef said. “Please do.”

  As Rudiger relayed the tale, Borisin kept him updated on Malef’s progress.

  I’ve explained the situation to him, Borisin said. He says he thinks this is a good way to talk about sensitive topics. He just wishes he’d had some warning beforehand.

  “From the moment I first saw him, I knew we were meant to be together.” Tell him there was no way to warn him.

  He understands that. He wants to know what ideas you have for killing Lidda.

  Tell him I think our main threat is Lama?n. We won’t get to Lidda without getting past him first. So we either have to take him out first or get to her when he’s not around.

  He agrees that Lama?n is the dangerous one. What do you have in mind?

  The other day, he and Lidda were talking about Slay. There’s some sword called Daemonslayer, and Slay might be that sword. They don’t know, but there’s a way to find out. Lama?n could take it to some monks somewhere. Lidda wants to go on that trip, but if Malef can somehow convince her not to, we’d have a period without Lama?n around.

  Right, Borisin said. Wait a minute, won’t that mean you won’t have Slay? What about the dragon?

  I’m not sure yet. Just tell Malef.

  “You’ve gone silent,” Malef said.

  “Sorry, lost in thought,” Rudiger said. “I was thinking about this time Borisin and me got stuck in a swamp. It was shortly after I got him…”

  Told you you weren’t very good at it, Borisin said, adding an out loud snort. Anyway, I’ve filled him in. While he thinks getting Lama?n out of the way is a good idea, he shares my concerns about not having Slay.

  Fair, we need to figure out something there. Tell him—

  “Time’s up!” Lidda called.

  Rudiger looked towards her. “What? No way that was half an hour.”

  “It most certainly was,” she said. “Malef, I will be retiring to my apartments shortly, and I’m in the mood for some company tonight. Join me there in an hour once you’ve washed the stench of that horse off you.”

  Malef bowed his head. “With pleasure, my dear.”

  “Guards, escort the Prince and Lord Fonivan to their respective apartments. See you shortly, my dear.” She strode away, followed by several guards.

  Malef came around Borisin and offered his arm. “Always a pleasure, my friend.”

  “Likewise.” Rudiger clutched his arm, and they hugged and kissed cheeks.

  He says nights with Lidda are not things he looks forward to anymore, Borisin said. However, he’ll do his best to please her. She might be willing to talk to him that way. Gods, I almost feel sorry for him having to lie with that horrid woman.

  As the guards led him and Malef out of the stall, Rudiger said, See, that didn’t go so badly.

  I suppose so. I still don’t like him.

  Rudiger chuckled. Yes, you do.

  Nope. No way.

  Talk to you next week, pal. Love you.

  Back at you.

  Patreon if you'd like to help support my writing.